Jim Mansfield, who died yesterday at the age of 74, was an extraordinary man who came from nothing and ended his days in the Tassaggart House, the last vestige of what was once a sprawling business conglomerate that encompassed hotels and apartments blocks, golf courses and even his own personal airfield.

He bought and restored Palmerstown House near Naas which was to be 'the jewel in the crown' of his leisure empire, but turned out to be just another millstone around his neck when the property boom turned to bust.

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